New York Attorney General Letitia James has confirmed that her office is in the early stages of reviewing potential market manipulation connected to former President Donald Trump’s recent trade policy reversal — an announcement that sent shockwaves through global markets.
In an interview with MeidasTouch, James responded to concerns raised by host Ben Meiselas regarding suspicious financial activity surrounding Trump’s tariff announcement. When asked if her office was reviewing any potential market manipulation or insider trading, James replied:
“We do police Wall Street, and all I can say is that we’ve been reviewing a lot of this conduct to determine whether or not it’s actionable.”
Her comment, while cautious, is one of the most direct acknowledgments to date that the New York Attorney General’s office is monitoring behavior that could potentially violate securities laws and land Trump back in court.
The controversy began when Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating: “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.” That post went live just hours before he announced a surprise 90-day pause on new tariffs for most countries, excluding China. Markets responded almost immediately. The S&P 500 closed up over 9%, the Nasdaq surged 12%, and Trump Media & Technology Group—whose stock ticker is notably DJT—climbed 22%.
While Trump did not clarify whether his post referred to his company or broader market sentiment, the timing and language raised significant concerns among lawmakers and financial watchdogs. As previously reported, multiple members of Congress, including Senator Adam Schiff and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have called for formal investigations and public disclosures, citing the potential for insider trading.
“These constant gyrations in policy provide dangerous opportunities for insider trading,” Schiff said. “Who in the administration knew about Trump’s latest tariff flip-flop ahead of time? Did anyone buy or sell stocks, and profit at the public’s expense?”
Senator Chris Murphy echoed those concerns, calling the situation an “insider trading scandal in the making.” AOC, meanwhile, has urged all members of Congress to disclose recent trades, citing chatter on Capitol Hill.
Market manipulation — defined as deliberate interference with the free and fair operation of financial markets — is a serious offense that can result in civil and criminal penalties. Insider trading, in particular, involves using nonpublic information to gain an unfair market advantage, undermining investor trust and market integrity.
Letitia James’ office has a proven track record of pursuing financial misconduct, most notably her ongoing civil fraud case against Trump and the Trump Organization. Her decision to speak publicly about this review signals a heightened level of concern and a continued commitment to holding powerful individuals accountable.
Legal experts caution that the Attorney General’s review does not necessarily mean charges will follow, but it does indicate that the facts are being examined thoroughly. If evidence of wrongdoing emerges, James’ office could potentially coordinate with federal regulators or pursue state-level enforcement actions.
As Wall Street continues to digest the implications of this tariff reversal and the associated trading activity, one thing is clear: the New York Attorney General is paying attention. And for those who may have attempted to leverage policy changes for personal gain, the scrutiny is just beginning.
SEE ALSO:
NY AG Letitia James Calls Mortgage Fraud Claims ‘Baseless’
Black Women AGs Lead Charge Against Trump Admin’s Attack On Public Health
NY AG Letitia James Considers Probe Into Trump’s Tariff Flip-Flop
was originally published on
newsone.com
